Machine for boring fence postholes



E. L. DECKERD.

MACHINE FOR BORING FENCE POSTHOLES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22.1920.

1 1 Q M MW 0 10 3 .w H m P m J a W; U m 3 4 2 W 1 1 1 WIMESSES E. L. DECKERD. MACHINE FOR BORING FENCE POSTHOLES,

APPLICATION FIL ED JUNE 22. 1920.

1,412,343. Patented Apr. 11, 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

E. L. DECKERD- MACHINE FOR BORING FENCE POSTHOLES.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22. 1920.

Patented Apr. 11; 1922.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- 4/70 .056 80 INVENTOR.

W/T/YESSES ATTORNEY.

orrics.

MACHINE FOR BORING FENCE POSTHOLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 11, 1922.

Application filed June 22, 1920. Serial No. 390,817.

70 all 107.com it may com-em:

it .inown that I, EDWARD a citizen of the United States, residing at Center, in the county of ltalls and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Machines for Boring Fence Postholes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new anduseful improvements in post hole digging machines, the primary object of the invention being to provide improved means for vertically moving the auger without interfering with rotation thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine of the above named type which includes a frame and means for readily adjusting the frame to maintain a horizontal position regardless of the surface with which the machine engage Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of the application and wherein'like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a top plan of the machine.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through e some taken on the line 22 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is transverse section of the machine talren on the line 8-3 of Figure 2.

Figure is a similar view taken on the line l l of Figure 2.

L. DECKERD,

Figure 5 a longitudinal section through the frame of the machine illusti'at the supports in tilted position to dispose the main frame in a horizontal position.

Figure 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of the boring mechanism, parts thereof being broken away,

Figure 7' is a transverse section taken on the line 5 of Figure 6, and

Figure 8 is a plan view of another form of boring element.

Referring to thedrawings wherein for the purpos illustration the numeral 9 designates the frame of the device and consists of side and end rails 10 and 11 respectively and also spaced longitudinally extending intermediatebrace bars 12. Supports 13 are provided for each end of the frame and each consists of an element having upstanding upwardly converging legs 14 which are joined by a horizontal bridging portion 15, the latter being adapted to enone of gage the under side of one of the end rails. i he rear support 12:)

is rigidly secured to its respe tive end rail, while the forward sup- F (at is moi ably associated with the forward d the frame so that it may be moved main ain the main far-me 9 in a horizonal position when the machine engages an reu surface. A. vertical opening is proil entrally in the forward end rail 11 t5 also in the bridging portion 15 of the s ipport so that a king bolt 16 may extend l rough those aligned openings to connect 5 support with the frame. As clearly seen 1 i igurcs 2 and 5. the lower end of the king bolt arcuated forwardly of the ma chine and at times the forward support 13 s -aused to move downwardly upon the king no t so as to cause the support to move inclependently and forwardly of the frame. Each support .13 is secured to a stationary axle 17 upon which wheels 18 are rotatably mounted. The usual draft appliances may be secured to the forward axle whereby the machine may be conveyed to any desired point.

In order that the forward support 13 may be caused to move relative to the frame 9 at any desired time. a drum 20 is pivotally mounted upon the wheel axle by means of standards 21. A crank handle is provided for the drum whereby it may be rotated. A cable 22 is secured to the drum and wound thereabout while the opposite end of the cable secured as at 23 to the forward axle. Obviously. when the cable is wound upon the drum. the forward support 13 is dis posed directly beneath the forward end rail 11. but as soon as the cable is unwound or loosened from the drum. the weight of the machine causes the forward support 19 and s associated axle to move forwardly of the rrame to be disposed at an obtuse angle thereto so that the main frame 9 will be dis -iosed horizontally when the forward wheels enga ge with higher surfaces than the rear wieels.

The auger 24. depends from the rear end of the frame and is disposed to the rear thereof. The auger is detachably assoc ated with a vertically disposed sl aft 25 as seen at 26 and more in detail in Figures 7 and 8. The upper end of the anger is square as seen in Figures 7 and S and designated by the numeral 2'? and this upper end is adapted to extend into the lower socket end of the shaft 25. A bolt 28 is then extended transversely through the lower end of the shaft and the upper end of thevauger shaft to securely fasten the latter to the former.

The upper end of the shaft 25 extends through a depending neck portion 29 of the globular end 30 of a casing 31 and an enlargement 32 is provided upon the shaft within the globular portion 30 to prevent accidental displacement of the shaft from the casing. The upper end of the shaft 25 within the globular portion of the casing is provided with a horizontally disposed beveled gear 33 which is adapted to mesh with a smaller beveled gear 34. The smaller gear is fastened to the free end of a shaft 35 which extends through a horizontal tubular construction 36 of the casing 31. The inner end: of the casing 31 is enlarged as seen by the numeral 37 and is secured to the upper end of a feed element 38. The upper end of this element within the casing 37 is provided with upstanding standards 39 through which the shaft 35 extends. The inner end of the shaft 35 is extended through and beyondthe innermost end of the casing and its extremity is provided with a pulley wheel 40 which transmits movement to the shaft 35 by a belt 41 engaging the pulley wheel 40 and the pulley wheel 42 of a prime mover 43 mounted upon the main frame. Inasmuch asthe auger is moved vertically when digging a post hole, I provide an automatic'belt tightener, not shown, to account for the slack allowed in the belt 41.

it. clutch 44 is provided for the shaft 35 within the portion 37 of the casing 31 and is manipulated by a suitable lever 45 pivoted within the casing and extending through a slot 46 in the top thereof. A transmission mechanism 47 is similarly located and is manipulated by a lever 48 extending through the slot 46 in the top of the inner end of the casing 31.

The feed element 38 consists of a block relatively movable of the frame 9 in oppositely disposed guide-ways or grooves 49 in one side rail 10 and the adjacent intermediate brace bar 12. -Opposite broad. faces of the feed element are provided with rack te 1th 50 for cooperation with spaced pinions 51 mounted upon spaced shafts 52 extending transversely through the rail and brace bar which are provided with the guide ways.

' The outer ends of the shafts are extended beyond the side rail 10 and are each provided with a large gear 53 adapted to mesh where by the drive pinions 51 rotate inwardly in the same direction. A. crank 54 is provided for one of the shafts whereby movement of one will transmit movement to the other.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that after the frame is in position to properly suspend the auger, the crank 54 is actuated to tower the feed element 38 or rack bar, whereby the pointed end of the anger is caused to'engage the surface of the ground. The engine is started so as to transmit movement tothe drive shaft 35 extending through the housing 31 and then through the auger shaft 25. As the auger drills into the earth, the crank 54 of the feed mechanism may be actuated to properly cause the auger to enter or descend into the earth to bore the hole.

The foregoing description and the drawings have reference to the preferred embodiment of my invention. It is to be understood however, that such changes may be made in construction and arrangement of parts, materials, dimensions, etc., as may.

prove expedient and fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a device of the character described, a frame, a pair of spaced shafts, a pinion secured to each shaft, a gear secured to each shaft and adapted to mesh with each other, means for rotating one of the shafts, a bar having teeth on opposite sides thereof for mesh with said pinion and an anger movable with the rack bar.

2. A device of the character described in cluding a frame, an anger carried thereby, supports for the frame, one of said supports being movably associated with the frame, a drum carried by the one support, and a cable wound upon said drum and connected to the other support whereby said support may be moved to lower one end of the frame.

3. A device of the character described comprising a frame, a horizontal casing movable relative thereto and provided at one end with a depending member, means engaging said member for raising and lowering'said casing, an auger depending from the opposite end ofsaid casing, and means journaled in the casing for imparting rotary movement to the auger. V.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses. r

' EDlV-AR-D L. DECKERD. \Vitnesses R. NETHERLAND,

C. O. Pownns.- 

